Cheap RAM = Good RAM?

[p1que]

i need ram for my gaming pc. Right now i have

Cooler Master HAF 912 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&cm_re=cooler_master-_-11-119-233-_-Product

Zotac GTX 750 TI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500330

ASUS Sabertooth military tested FX 990 R2.0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877&cm_re=asus_sabertooth-_-13-131-877-_-Product (recommended by a friend but idk about motherboards either ]

AMD FX-8320 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285&cm_re=amd_fx_8320-_-19-113-285-_-Product

I am on a budget and was wondering if i want around 8 gigs of ram, should i go for 2x4 or just one stick? Also should i pay like $80 (liek is that reasonable) or can i find ram that is just as good for less?

 

[zemiak]

This should get the job done, wont find anything a whole lot cheaper http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9d8gab

 

[fkr]

any ram that is is cl 9 and 1600 at 1.5 volts is the same.

 

[geofelt]

Buy a 2 stick kit so you can run in taster dual channel operation.

Ram is competitively priced and often has lifetime warranty.
$80 is about right.

You want documented ram compatibility. If you should ever have a problem, you want supported ram.
Otherwise, you risk a finger pointing battle between the ram and motherboard support sites, claiming "not my problem".
One place to check is your motherboards web site.
Look for the ram QVL list. It lists all of the ram kits that have been tested with that particular motherboard.
Sometimes the QVL list is not updated after the motherboard is released.
For more current info, go to a ram vendor's web site and access their ram selection configurator.
Enter your motherboard, and you will get a list of compatible ram kits.
While today's motherboards are more tolerant of different ram, it makes sense to buy ram that is known to work and is supported.